aerial combat in the woods

...The Big Butterfly Count continues and today's target species (like yesterday) was the Speckled Wood Pararge aereria. We did the circular walk from Corfe Castle to East Creech then back along the ridge of Knowle Hill. This is a great walk on a hot summer's day because the outbound section, along part of the Purbeck Way, is mostly in the shade, and the delightful ridge path back, with fabulous views in all directions, is undertaken with the sun behind you. Incidentally, Knowle Hill had several Emperor Dragonflies and a large number of Golden Ringed Dragonflies.

It was on the fringes of the woods where I expected to find the Speckled Woods and I wasn't disappointed. There were quite a few around and we watched many amazing dog fights between territorial males. Disappointingly, when they settled, it was with wings folded because they were perched waiting for another male to pass by and engage in battle...